Skipper Making Progress After Surgery

Billy Paynter has been given the go-ahead to step up his training after a successful visit to see the surgeon who operated on his injured Achilles.

The Club Captain has been out of action since January and initially underwent a series of injections in a bid to get back playing this season before being advised to have an operation last month.

Paynter – who has been wearing an aircast boot since the operation – was accompanied by Head Physio Ian Gallagher during his visit to see the surgeon in York on Tuesday when he was given good news.

“Billy has been told that he can remove the boot now and get back to wearing normal footwear,” explained Gallagher.

“We have followed the surgeon’s protocol to the letter and the wound has been healing properly so now he can begin some exercise and try to get his normal walking gait back.

“He will be able to go in the pool and do some gym work which will gradually build-up his fitness to hopefully be back in full training by early July with a view to being fit for the start of next season.”

Paynter will be on the sidelines at Cheltenham Town this weekend as part of Pools’ temporary management team for the crunch clash against The Robins.